Fighting child labor

Child labor is one of the biggest problems of our time: the United Nations estimates that between 100 and 250 million children around the world are forced to work – making a care-free childhood and a school education impossible.

Child labor is still widespread in Brazil and India. While just under 7 percent of children aged 5 to 14 work in Brazil (6.8 percent according to a report published in May 2006 by the International Labour Organization), the corresponding figure in India is even higher. Bayer actively supports renowned organizations such as the “Abrinq Foundation for Children’s Rights” in Brazil and the Naandi Foundation in India in the fight against child labor.

Support of the Naandi Foundation The Naandi Foundation aims to fight poverty and lastingly improve living standards among the poor. Naandi regards a qualified school education and vocational training as key to achieving this goal.

With the help of Bayer CropScience and as part of the company’s Child Care Program in India, the Naandi Foundation has set up 19 Creative Learning Centers in the state of Andhra Pradesh. In these centers, children who previously worked in agriculture or other sectors are prepared for reintegration into the Indian school education system. So far, more than 1,300 children have been enrolled in these bridge schools, of whom about 1,000 have since progressed to the regular Indian school system. In addition, Bayer CropScience has opened a Vocational Training Center near Hyderabad, India, where former child laborers can attend one-year training courses to prepare them for more highly qualified employment in agriculture.

Collaboration with the Abrinq Foundation The Abrinq Foundation aims to defend children’s human rights and their right to health care and education, and also offers social programs for children. In coordination with Abrinq, Bayer employees regularly volunteer their time at social facilities in the Brazilian metropolis São Paulo.

The situation in Brazil has improved considerably, due partly to the work of the Abrinq Foundation. The number of children who are forced to work has declined significantly over the past ten years.